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Junior Cycle · Junior Cycle English

Junior Cycle English: Reading comprehension

How often Reading comprehension comes up on the English papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 3 of the last 8 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026.

OL Asked on 8 of the last 8 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Reading comprehension, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Reading comprehension.

(a)You search a text quickly for one specific detail, such as a date. What is this reading skill called?
  1. Skimming
  2. Scanning
  3. Summarising
(b)Which of these is a FACT rather than an opinion?
  1. 'The bridge was a waste of money.'
  2. 'The bridge is an eyesore.'
  3. 'The bridge opened in 2019.'
(c)A question asks you to 'infer' something from a passage. What must you do?
  1. Work out what is hinted at
  2. Summarise the whole passage
  3. Copy the sentence that says it
Show the answers

(a) Scanning

(b) 'The bridge opened in 2019.'

(c) Work out what is hinted at

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Reading comprehension.

Higher Level

Asked on 3 of the last 8 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q1
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2019Q6
2018Q1
2017Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Reading comprehension questions

Reading comprehension, 2 marks

In the exam, what is the best way to support a point about a text?

  1. A retelling of the whole plot
  2. A general comment on the title
  3. A short, relevant quotation
Show the answer

A short, relevant quotation

Quote briefly, then explain how the words prove your point. Retelling the story is summary, which examiners reward least.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 8 of the last 8 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q1, Q4, Q10
2025Q1, Q3, Q8
2024Q1, Q2
2023Q6, Q7, Q11, Q12
2022Q1, Q2, Q6, Q9
2019Q1, Q2, Q3, Q6
2018Q5
2017Q1, Q2, Q9

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Reading comprehension questions

Reading comprehension, 3 marks

Read: 'Ciara checked the clock again, tapping her foot.' How is Ciara feeling?

  1. Delighted
  2. Relieved
  3. Impatient
Show the answer

Impatient

Checking the clock again and tapping her foot are signs of waiting impatiently. Working out feelings from clues like these is called inference.

Reading comprehension, 2 marks

Working out something a writer suggests but does not state directly is called...

  1. Retrieval
  2. Inference
  3. Summary
Show the answer

Inference

Inference is reading between the lines using clues. Retrieval is finding a fact stated in the text. A summary gives the main points briefly.

Reading comprehension, 3 marks

Which of these is a fact, not an opinion?

  1. Dublin is the capital of Ireland.
  2. Dublin is the best city to visit.
  3. Dublin has the friendliest people.
Show the answer

Dublin is the capital of Ireland.

A fact can be checked and proven true. Words like best and friendliest show personal judgement, which marks an opinion.

Other English topics

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